Year 7's were doing on the novel and begged to to be allowed to watch the movie. Opened up a huge existential dicussion about life and provided a catalyst for an independent study unit next term
Did a module a few years ago with a mixed ability class (co-ed but heavy on boys) called the wheel thing - looking at texts to do with cars, especially articles on boy racers and the driving age. There are a number of lovely nz short stories that fit the theme(novels too, for that matter). We viewed The Worlds Fastest Indian. It worked well.
I taught this and the second one on a practicum at college, and my units etc. may at least be a start for you.
I found that the boys enjoyed the second one a lot more because of the fighting, and if I was to teach it again I would only do the second one, as I think the thematic considerations are deeper here too.
Castaway
We've always done it at Y10 as part of a Survival theme, but I can't see why it wouldn't work at Y11. It's got plenty of interesting techniques to explore.
Empire of the Sun
Whilst this is now a comparatively "elderly" film with a very youthful Christian Bale in the lead - it is certainly still an excellent text that boys as well as girls do get a lot out of. I have taught it as as part of a "Challenges" theme unit but it would also fit across a variety of other themes
Schools should adhere to guidelines available from the Office of Film and Literature Classification regarding how films should be chosen and used in schools.
I found that the boys enjoyed the second one a lot more because of the fighting, and if I was to teach it again I would only do the second one, as I think the thematic considerations are deeper here too.